The Only Hair Tool You Need to Get Kerry Washington's Effortless Waves

Kerry Washington is known for her chic style choices both onscreen and off (did you see her in Miu Miu at the Oscars?). But lately we've been obsessing over the versatility of her shoulder-length haircut that can do it all—straight, slicked back, or our favorite, tousled bedhead.

For our March cover shoot, hairstylist Mark Townsend used R Session Pro Tools Nalu Waver ($130; rsessionprotools.com for stores) to create the perfectly imperfect style. "We wanted her hair to have movement, so I used a double-barreled iron to form waves," says Townsend, who first prepped the star's hair with a smoothing serum.

Though the tool might look daunting (we recommend using the heat resistant glove that comes with it), it's surprisingly easy once you get the hang of it. First hold the curling rod perpendicular to hair and wrap large sections, starting about two inches from the root, around each barrel in an S pattern. Then turn your wrist slightly, so that the two barrels go from being on top of each other to side by side. Keep ends loose and run your fingers through your stands for a relaxed finish. The result? #Iwokeuplikethis perfection.